Direct Admissions
Naropa University adopts a contemplative approach to education and believes all students have the right to an accessible and transformative education. Direct Admissions supports this approach by eliminating barriers of entry for qualified students, and streamlining the enrollment process. Proactive admission allows Naropa University to reach students who may not think a contemplative education is within their reach.
After recommendation by their home institution or an educational advocate, students learn about their admission and scholarship offers, and details on how to accept those. If a student chooses to apply with this non-binding admissions offer, they don’t have to pay an application fee and aren’t required to enroll if they apply. Naropa University reviews all student applications to verify their accuracy and ensure the students’ applications meet admission requirements.
Two Ways to Participate in Direct Admissions at Naropa University
High school student guidance counselors, advisors, advocates, teachers, and administrators identify qualified students and recommend them for direct admissions through the Naropa University Direct Admission Advocate Recommendation form. Advocate recommendations can be made at any time during or after a student’s senior year of high school but before the student has enrolled in college. Decisions are processed, and students notified within 3-5 business days.
College Student advisors, faculty, advocates, and administrators identify qualified students and recommend them for direct admissions through the Naropa University Direct Admission Advocate Recommendation form. Advocate recommendations can be made at any time during the course of collegiate study. Decisions are processed, and students notified within 3–5 business days. Official transcript evaluations are issued 5–7 business days following receipt of official transcripts, 75 credit transfer maximum.
Direct Admission Qualifications
Institutional administrators identify qualified students and recommend them for direct admissions via secure file upload three times per academic year through a direct admission link. Connect through admissions@naropa.edu to establish the secure data upload site for your institution. Decisions are processed, and students notified within 5-7 business days.
Naropa University protects students’ personally identifying information. Read more about our data security and privacy practices.
The student is currently enrolled and in good standing. In the case of graduated high school students—they have graduated but not yet enrolled in college courses post high school.
The student is in the top 25% of their class AND has a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
*If you have a student who would thrive at Naropa University but does not meet direct admission qualifications, please have them contact admissions@naropa.edu for an individual assessment by an admissions counselor.
Receiving Decisions
Students receive acceptance packs via email. The acceptance pack contains:
- A provisional acceptance letter for undeclared undergraduate studies. Students are provisionally accepted until all required admissions documents (transcripts, and, if necessary, AP/CLEP test scores) are received.
- An invitation to set up their official admissions account and provide the information needed to connect to federal financial aid awards.
- Academic scholarship details—All students with a 3.0 or better receive an academic scholarship.
- Academic Excellence—GPA of 3.5+ awards $10,000 per full academic year per student
- Academic Honor—GPA of 3.0–3.49 awards $7,500 per full academic year per student
- Contact information for their admissions counselor.
Next Steps for Admitted Students
After setting up an admissions account, we encourage students to connect with their admissions counselor to explore academic majors and minors, career outcomes, campus life, and contemplative education.
Setting up an admissions account allows students to gain access to their Naropa email account, campus intranet resources, and federal financial awards provided they have submitted a FAFSA.
For questions on the direct admissions pathway and/or to set up an institutional relationship with Naropa University, please contact Kelly Watt, Senior Director of Admissions and Alumnx Relations, kwatt@naropa.edu.
